New International VersionAnd the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground.
New Living TranslationThe king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.” Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.
English Standard VersionAnd they told the king, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground.
Berean Standard BibleSo the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.
King James BibleAnd they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
New King James VersionSo they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
New American Standard BibleThey informed the king, saying, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And when he came into the king’s presence, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.
NASB 1995They told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.
NASB 1977And they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.
Legacy Standard BibleThen they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And then he came in before the king and prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.
Amplified BibleThe king was told, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came before the king, he bowed before the king with his face to the ground.
Christian Standard Bibleand it was announced to the king, “The prophet Nathan is here.” He came into the king’s presence and paid homage to him with his face to the ground.
Holman Christian Standard Bibleand it was announced to the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” He came into the king’s presence and bowed to him with his face to the ground.”
American Standard VersionAnd they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
Contemporary English VersionSomeone told David that he was there, and Nathan came in. He bowed with his face to the ground
English Revised VersionAnd they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe servants told the king, "The prophet Nathan is here." When he came to the king, he bowed down in front of him.
Good News TranslationThe king was told that the prophet was there, and Nathan went in and bowed low before the king.
International Standard VersionThey informed the king, "Nathan the prophet is here." When he had been ushered into the presence of the king, Nathan bowed low in front of the king with his face to the ground
NET BibleThe king was told, "Nathan the prophet is here." Nathan entered and bowed before the king with his face to the floor.
New Heart English BibleAnd they told the king, saying, "Look, Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.
World English BibleThey told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they declare to the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet”; and he comes in before the king, and bows himself to the king, on his face to the earth.
Young's Literal Translation and they declare to the king, saying, 'Lo, Nathan the prophet;' and he cometh in before the king, and boweth himself to the king, on his face to the earth.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd they will announce to the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And he will come in before the king, and he will worship to the king upon his face to the earth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they told the king, saying: Nathan the prophet is here. And when he was come in before the king, and had worshipped, bowing down to the ground,
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd they announced to the king, saying, “Nathan, the prophet, is here.” And when he had entered in the sight of the king, and he had reverenced prone on the ground,
New American BibleThey told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” He entered the king’s presence and did him homage, bowing to the floor.
New Revised Standard VersionThe king was told, “Here is the prophet Nathan.” When he came in before the king, he did obeisance to the king, with his face to the ground. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet has come. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground and did obeisance.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd they told the King and they said to him: “Behold Nathan the Prophet has come!” And he entered before the King and he fell on his face on the ground, and he bowed down. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they told the king, saying: 'Behold Nathan the prophet.' And when he was come in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationBehold, Nathan the prophet is here: and he came in to the king's presence, and did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Nathan and Bathsheba Before David… 22And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23So the kingwas told,“Nathanthe prophetis here.”And Nathan went inand bowedfacedownbeforethe king.24“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?…
Cross References 1 Samuel 9:6-10“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.” / “If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.” ...
2 Samuel 12:1-7Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...
2 Samuel 14:1-20Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. / So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time. / Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth. ...
2 Samuel 15:37So David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.
2 Samuel 20:16-22a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.” / When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered. / Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled. ...
2 Kings 1:9-15Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...
2 Kings 4:8-13One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.” ...
2 Kings 6:32-33Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” / While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”
2 Kings 9:1-3Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”
2 Chronicles 18:12-27Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.” / But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.” / When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up and triumph,” Micaiah replied, “for they will be delivered into your hand.” ...
Jeremiah 38:14-28Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.” / “If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” / But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.” ...
Matthew 2:1-12After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” / When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ...
Matthew 21:23-27When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. / What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ...
Matthew 26:57-68Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. / But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. / Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. ...
Mark 11:27-33After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. / “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” / “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ...
Treasury of Scripture And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. he bowed 1 Kings 1:16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tributeis due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 1 Peter 2:17 Honour allmen. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Jump to Previous BowedBowethDeclareEarthFaceGroundNathanProphetProstratedJump to Next BowedBowethDeclareEarthFaceGroundNathanProphetProstrated1 Kings 1 1.Abishag cherishes David in his extreme age5.Adonijah, David's darling, usurps the kingdom11.By the council of Nathan15.Bathsheba moves the king22.And Nathan seconds her28.David renews his oath to Bathsheba32.Solomon, by David's appointment,38.being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people triumph41.Jonathan bringing the news, Adonijah's guests fly50.Adonijah, flying to the horns of the altar, is dismissed by SolomonSo the king was toldThis phrase indicates a formal announcement to King David, who was nearing the end of his reign. The context is a time of political tension as Adonijah, David's son, was attempting to seize the throne. The king being informed suggests the importance of Nathan's visit, as Nathan was a trusted prophet and advisor to David. This reflects the protocol and respect for the king's authority in ancient Israel. “Nathan the prophet is here.”
Nathan was a significant figure in David's life, known for delivering God's messages, including the rebuke for David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-15). His presence here underscores the gravity of the situation. Prophets in Israel were seen as God's mouthpieces, and Nathan's involvement highlights the divine interest in the succession of the throne. This moment is pivotal in ensuring Solomon's rightful kingship, aligning with God's covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). And Nathan went in
Nathan's entrance into the king's presence signifies his role as an intermediary between God and the king. It also reflects the court protocol, where only certain individuals could approach the king directly. Nathan's access to David underscores his high status and the trust David placed in him. and bowed facedown before the king.
Bowing facedown was a customary act of deep respect and submission in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This gesture by Nathan, despite his prophetic authority, shows his acknowledgment of David's royal position. It also reflects the cultural norms of showing deference to a king, which was expected in the hierarchical society of ancient Israel. This act of humility by Nathan sets the stage for his important message regarding the succession of the throne. Persons / Places / Events 1. Nathan the ProphetA key figure in the court of King David, Nathan was a prophet who played a significant role in advising the king and delivering God's messages. He is known for confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba and for supporting Solomon's claim to the throne. 2. King DavidThe reigning king of Israel at this time, David is in his old age and facing the challenge of succession. His health is failing, and there is uncertainty about who will succeed him. 3. The Royal CourtThe setting is the royal court of King David, where political maneuvering is taking place regarding the succession of the throne. 4. Adonijah's Attempted UsurpationAdonijah, one of David's sons, is attempting to take the throne without David's blessing, prompting Nathan and Bathsheba to intervene. 5. Solomon's AnointingThe events in this chapter lead to the anointing of Solomon as king, ensuring the continuation of David's line as ordained by God. Teaching Points The Role of ProphetsNathan's role underscores the importance of prophets as God's messengers who provide guidance and correction. In our lives, we should seek and heed godly counsel. Respect for AuthorityNathan's approach to King David, bowing facedown, demonstrates respect for God-ordained authority. We are called to respect and pray for our leaders, even when they are flawed. God's Sovereignty in LeadershipThe events surrounding Solomon's anointing remind us that God is sovereign over leadership transitions. We can trust His plans and timing in our own lives. Courage to Speak TruthNathan's willingness to confront David and support Solomon shows the courage required to speak truth in difficult situations. We are encouraged to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular. Divine Timing and InterventionThe account illustrates how God intervenes at the right time to fulfill His purposes. We should be patient and trust in God's perfect timing in our circumstances. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 1
How does 1 Kings 13 align with other biblical passages where faithful prophets are protected rather than misled or punished?
In 1 Kings 22:19-23, how can a just and holy God send a 'lying spirit' to deceive Ahab's prophets?
Why does Solomon's succession in 1 Kings 1:28-40 ignore the usual primogeniture, given the elder sons who remained alive?
In 1 Kings 18:19, is there any archaeological or textual evidence supporting the existence of such large numbers of prophets?
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So the kingלַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙(lam·me·leḵ)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingwas told,וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ(way·yag·gî·ḏū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5046:To be conspicuous“Nathanנָתָ֣ן(nā·ṯān)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5416:Nathan -- the name of a number of Israelitesthe prophetהַנָּבִ֑יא(han·nā·ḇî)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030:A spokesman, speaker, prophetis here.”הִנֵּ֖ה(hin·nêh)Interjection
Strong's 2009:Lo! behold!And [Nathan] wentוַיָּבֹא֙(way·yā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gobeforeלִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingand bowedוַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ(way·yiš·ta·ḥū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812:To depress, prostratefacedownעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstto [him].לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ(lam·me·leḵ)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A king
Links 1 Kings 1:23 NIV1 Kings 1:23 NLT1 Kings 1:23 ESV1 Kings 1:23 NASB1 Kings 1:23 KJV
1 Kings 1:23 BibleApps.com1 Kings 1:23 Biblia Paralela1 Kings 1:23 Chinese Bible1 Kings 1:23 French Bible1 Kings 1:23 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Kings 1:23 They told the king saying Behold Nathan (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
